Q: Is eating kat (al-qaat) considered to be of the kabaa?ir (major sins) or of the saghaa?ir (minor sins), as many of those who eat it want its Shar?ee (Legislative) ruling in order that Allaah may open their chests to abandoning it, and we wish from your Excellency direction (tawjeeh) and advice (naseehah) to those whom Allaah has afflicted and tried with this affair, and may Allaah reward you with good.

A: All praise is for Allaah, and may Extolment (as-Salaah) and Peace and Security (as-Salaam) be upon the Messenger of Allaah and also upon his true followers and Companions. And to follow on:

Then verily kat (al-qaat) is haraam (forbidden) and eating it and addiction to it is a kabeerah (major sin) from the kabaa?ir (major sins) due to what results from it of the many harms to the Religion (ad-Deen), intellect (al-?aql), body (al-jism), wealth (al-maal), marital life (al-hayaat az-zawjiyyah) and the general economy (al-iqtisaad al-?aamm).